Squirrel Cove, Cortes Island

We made a quick run across the channel to Squirrel Cove and dropped anchor in about 12 feet of water. This was one of our most shallow anchorages yet. After getting settled, we jumped into the dinghy and motored out the cove to the town of Squirrel Cove to check it out. Not much there and as it was late, what was there was closed, so a return trip tomorrow is in the plan.

The following morning, we slept in and ate a great pancake and eggs breakfast and then headed back to town. We were able to drop off our garbage that we had been hauling around in one the lockers for the last week or so. A great relief! They also had a wonderful store that allowed us to stock up on necessities including a very good selection of expensive Canadian beer (a six pack runs about $13 candian. We are spending more on beer than anything else, including diesel.) and Hagen'daz ice cream bars. We were also able to do laundry and take showers and of course we found wifi.

Latter that day, we took a hike to Von Donop Inlet. Janet called it a death march. The trail was unimproved and went up, over and under the tremendous amount of logging debris left over from logging operations I think sometime around the turn of the century.

We also motored over to the reversing tidal rapid that separates the cove from another smaller lagoon.  An interesting phenomenon in that as the tides rise and fall the water either rushes into or out of the lagoon thru a small stream.  At full run, it is a virtual white water river.  We didn't do it, but apparently you can shoot the rapids in your dinghy.  The only problem is that once inside you can't come back the other way until the tide changes, which could be up to 6 hours.

In the morning we are heading for Walsh Cove Provincial Park and then to the Toba Wilderness Marina.

The docks at Squirrel Cove Community.  Notice the steep ramp
up from the docks at low tide.

Janet negotiating the trail to Von Donop Inlet.

There were some signs to help guide us.

The trail had some redeeming highlights.

Paul trying to figure out the reversing tidal rapids.